Cutting torch gas pressures

Thanks in advance

Skybow

Stan is right with the Acty, DO NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY! In case of fire or some emergency, you need to get the ACTY shut off ASAP. Just my two cents.

Doug N

You gave your opinion to his post, and so did I. Silly me, I thought that's what forums were for. Besides, what made you think I was singling you out? Did you have a bad day today or what? Doug N

Seems to me you're the one that took offense from my first post.

"You like to use bold print." Yeah, I do, for 95% of the people that don't read the entire post before answering. Bold print tends to catch the eye, makes people read more. Why, does that bother you?

Guido.

I'm aware that this totally qualifies as nit-picking, but somebody's got to pick those nits, darn it. The oxygen needs to have the valve opened all the way because it's a high pressure bottle with valve packing at the top of the stem. If it's not opened fully it can lose oxygen around the top of the stem. We agree on that. But the acetylene (or other fuel gas) is not in a HP bottle, and does not have an upper valve seat. Common practice, purely for safety reasons, is to open the fuel valve no more than 3/4 to 1-1/2 turn so that you can get it shut off in a hurry should the need arise. Likewise, on the old bottles that open with a wrench rather than with a handle, the common practice is to leave the wrench in place for the same reason. The Victor pamphlet you spoke of makes a note of this on page 20.

All the best, Stan "We will pick no nit before its time" Lewis

You are wright about the opening of the bottle and havimg the wrenh on the valve. It is though to cover all the procedures in a small paragragh. I had more time in my class room to get the students to get it wright. Enyhow, I always welcome constructive criticism, and never intented or hoped to cover the matter totally.

Guido.

My thought when I read your post was that it slipped your mind. I didn't think my observation was particularly important, either.

There's a big social/recreational aspect to a forum like this. People like me who believe that it's important to be productive can engage in the sharing of information without the nagging feeling that it's a waste of time, as we might feel if we spent the same amount of time blogging, or doing crossword puzzles. Eventually we'll all be dead either way. I mean, except for Elvis, of course.

All the best, Stan

You mentioned Smith gauges. Is your cutting torch also Smith? If it is, let me know what you think of it after you've had a chance to use it for awhile. Over the past couple of years I've picked up 2 brand new Smith torches on eBay for amazingly low prices. I'm impressed by the quality of the construction and by some of the features, but not so much by the design. Specifically, the location of the oxygen jet lever is awkward for me. Even though it's reversible, I don't think that would solve the problem. I've mostly used Victor torches for cutting, but I've also used no-brand Chinese equipment and don't remember experiencing this problem---so I don't think it's just a matter of what I'm used to.

All the best, Stan

For cutting with the torch, you will need 40 pounds of 0xygen on the line.

The trick to cutting is to heat the edge to a bright yellow, then pull the trigger. Cut along slowly, got to keep that steady hand.. :)